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The sky comes alive: How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

06:00
16 April 2023

The sky comes alive
How to spot anti-crepuscular rays

crepuscular rays

We've seen a few examples of crepuscular rays in recent editions of 'Your weather - Your shots' but have you heard of anti-crepuscular rays?

Crepuscular rays are pillars of sunlight appearing to converge towards the sun on the horizon or bursting out of clouds, but if you face away from them, you may get to see something even more elusive.

The next time crepuscular rays light up the horizon, turn away from them. If you do, you might get to see some faint anti-crepuscular rays converging towards an anti-solar point, opposite the sun.

If you want to see some anti-crepuscular rays yourself, here are three tips to remember:

  • Turn around and face the opposite direction to the sun
  • Look carefully – remember anti-crepuscular rays are fainter than crepuscular rays
  • They will be most visible at sunrise or sunset, as the sun passes over the horizon.

See if you can see some for yourself and send us any pictures you take. Just click the little camera in the top corner or use the uploader.

Ryan Hathaway
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